TRAINER EDDIE WILLIS WINS MR MASTER BUG STAKES FOR FOURTH TIME IN LAST FIVE RUNNINGS WITH CORONADOS FATE, FIFTH OVERALL

by Richard Linihan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – April 28, 2024 – It’s like the old Merrill Lynch commercial, except it’s horse racing. When trainer Eddie Willis sends out a horse in the $68,000 Mr Master Bug Stakes, everyone pays attention.

On Saturday night, Willis won this stakes race for Oklahoma-breds for the fourth time in the last five years and the fifth time overall. Coronados Fate hit the wire first with jockey Jimmy Brooks in the saddle.

The only time a Willis horse didn’t win this race in the past five years was in 2023 when trainer Juan Diaz, Jr., and jockey Juan Pulido upset the apple cart with Ivory Senator. Willis won with B Leaving in 2022, Bran Nu Dae in 2021 and Love Is Everything V in 2020. His other victory came in 2011, the first year of this stakes, when Blackwater Command crossed the line first for Brooks, who has bookended this series. He also won aboard Love Is Everything V. Jockey Jose Alvarez was with Bran Nu Dae and Justine Klaiber in the saddle of B Leaving.

Coronados Fate beat a field of 3-year-old Oklahoma-bred American Quarter Horses at 350 yards in a time of :17.740 for an 88 speed-index over the fast track. The son of Coronado Cartel, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Fate Cant Weight, earned $39,000 for the victory and improved to 10 starts, four wins, one second and two thirds for a total bankroll of $129,514. He is owned by Reliance Ranches (Micah McKinney) of Guthrie, Okla., the leading owner at the meet with seven victories. Coronados Fate is a homebred for Reliance.

Coronados Fate just held on to defeat Flyin Rabbit 123, who was sent off as the prohibitive 1-5 favorite by a head, followed by Backside Bobby (10-1) in third, another half-length back. The rest of the order of finish was MFS Cheerio (8-1) fourth, Jess a Rednec Cowboy (14-1) fifth, Hamlyn (77-1) sixth, Praying Monk (60-1) seventh and Mystic Paint (30-1) eighth.

Coronados Fate was the third favorite at 5-1 odds and paid $12.20 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.80 to show to his backers. It was the first stakes win for the young colt after running second, beaten only a neck in the $291,000 Black Gold Colts and Geldings Futurity at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., on Nov. 19, 2023. He lost that race to Heza Relentless Mess in a photo.

The Mr Master Bug is named after the 1982 All American Futurity winner who was bred and owned by Marvin and Lela Barnes of Ada, Okla. Mr Master Bug earned American Quarter Horse Champion honors in three consecutive years from 1982-1984 and retired with more than $1.7 million in earnings.

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Remington Park racing continues Sunday with 10-races, featuring the $159,000 American Paint Classic Futurity. The first race is set for 4pm-Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $347 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The Remington Park 2024 American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season continues through June 1 with the biggest racing program of the season. The Champions Night boasts total purses in excess of $2,000,000, led by the $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.